CPI alleges Congress not following secularism

Puducherry, Oct 3 (UNI) The Puducherry Unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) today expressed apprehension whether the Congress government in the Union Territory was following secular principles.

Talking to newspersons here, Party State Secretary Na Ra Kalainathan said the Congress should have participated in the fast organised by the DPA for speedy implementation of the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP) and thwart the designs of communal forces.

As far as the CPI was concerned, it was supporting a secular government here. The Congress, which participated in the fast in Tamil Nadu, kept away here. There was also no reaction from the Congress on the 'fatwa' against DMK President Karunanidhi for his critical remarks agaist Lord Rama, he pointed out.

Leader of the DMK Students Wing Balasubramanian had lodged a complaint with the IGP against former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti for issuing the 'fatwa' against Mr Karunanidhi.

However, no action was taken so far. All these created doubts whether the Congress here was following secular principles, he said.

He recalled that when the CPI activists prevented the RSS training camp at the Pondicherry Engineering College in 2002, cases were registered against party's National Council Member R Viswanathan.

At that time also, Mr Rangasamy was the Chief Minister and it was clear that his government lacked the will power to act against communal forces, he alleged.